Peru: archaeological finds under Lima airport

Undated mimeograph photo distributed by the Peruvian Ministry of Culture of a nearly 2,000-year-old piece of ceramic unearthed during excavations for the expansion of Lima's international airport, alongside 38 others.

© Peruvian Ministry of Culture / AFP

Text by: RFI Follow

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Lima airport workers have made a great archaeological discovery.

While digging for the airport expansion project, they came across 39 pieces, some over 2,000 years old.

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A small ceramic llama, a vase with a human face... These more than 2,000-year-old artifacts are among the 39 pieces that the Peruvian State has classified as " 

cultural heritage of the nation

 ".

The Minister of Culture praised these discoveries for their historical, technological, aesthetic and social significance.

All of these objects testify to the continued occupation of the region and encompass

a huge chunk of Peruvian history

.

Some ceramics date back to the 3rd c.

av.

AD, others belonged to the Incas around 1500. While three of these artifacts date from the 19th century and were used in a mill installed on the site before the creation of the airport in 1960.

What also makes these discoveries important is that all these pieces are extremely well preserved. 

By declaring these 39 objects “ 

cultural heritage of the nation

 ”, the Ministry of Culture contributes to reinforcing the pride of the city, given its pre-Hispanic and modern history.

All these pieces should join one of the city's museums. 

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  • Peru

  • Archeology